Fluid power transmission



4v 1952 E. J. THURBER FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 1e, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 1 Edward l Thurl: EP

E QW-MZ@bu Cttorneg FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 16, 3.946

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Snoentor Edward lA Thurh Ell Gttorneg www, 4 T15 E. J. THURBER FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Dec.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 le, 194ev lmcntor Edu/ard L Thurhrar WWK, ik W52 E. J. THURBER FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION Filed Dec. 16, 1946 'inventor EdwAfaTd l., THUN; En?" @ttor-neg Patented Nov. 4, 1952 FLUID POWER TRANSMISSION Edward J. Thurber, New Orleans, La., assignor to The Thurber Corporation, New Orleans, La., a corporation of Louisiana Application December 16, 1946, Serial No. 716,505

49 Claims. 1

This invention relates to hydraulic variable speed power transmission devices and more particularly to devices wherein the torque is multiplied and transmitted by means of rotary impeller and turbine members through the circulation and cooperativeeffect of a working duid.

Hydraulic transmissions of the above types which have heretofore been proposed, have been so constructed and arranged as to cause the working duid to traverse a toroidal path during operation, and the design and construction of the impellers, turbines, stationary reactionary vanes and other` constituent parts has been such as to result in a decrease in efliciency of operation, especially when the impeller and turbine members are rotating at approximately the same speed. In addition to these dinculties, the prior art constructions have been such that a considerable amount of heat was generated during the operation, and in an eiort to dissipate such heat, complicated and costly arrangements were proposed, which have not proved entirely satisfactory. Moreover, in priortransmissions of this type, reliance was placed upon the speed of the driving member for purposes of torque variation, and no arrangements were provided for disconnecting the driving and driven members except by the addition of costly'and intricate clutches and shifting mechanisms therefor.

It is accordingly one of the objects of the present invention to provide a hydraulic power transmission mechanism of the rotary type which is constructed and arranged in such a manner as to avoid the disadvantages and objectionable features of the prior systems.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved hydraulic transmission device which combines the effective characteristics of a torque multiplying converter and those of a hydraulic coupling together with novel control mechanism therefor.

`A further object resides in the provision of a controlling mechanism for a transmission of the above type which is effective to control the uid working circuit in a novel manner.

` Another object is to provide an arrangement which eliminates the necessity of providing extraneous clutch devices for connecting the impeller with the driving shaft and for disconnecting the driving and driven shafts.

`Still another object comprehends a novel controlling mechanism which is especially advantageous in motor vehicle installations, and which provides a coordinated control, associated with :one or more ofthe vehicle controlling members,

for desirably influencing and varying the fluid working circuit of the transmission.

Another object includes the provision of a combined fluid transmission and gear transmission together with a novel control for establishing a direct drive between the driving and driven shafts to thereby eliminate the customary loss in slip of the hydraulic transmission, such arrangement also providing means for starting the vehicle engine by towing or pushing.

A further object is to provide in a transmission of the foregoing character, a novel controlling mechanism therefor which enables a rapid acceleration of the vehicle through a coordinated control of the fluid working circuit and the engine throttle control, the results achieved being similar to those secured by the kick-down umts presently employed in connection with gear transmissions.

Still another object includes additional control mechanism for establishing a direct drive in parallel with the fluid transmission, and for automatically and simultaneously effecting an overdrive connection between the driving and driven shafts.

Another object is to provide an improved hydraulic transmission having guide vanes or reactionary members that are equally effective at all turbine speeds and fluid discharge angles.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved hydraulic transmission of the converter type having twin impellers and turbine members in a single casing, with the turbine member attached to the casing and receiving the fluid from the impeller flowing axially through the turbine members.

Another object resides in providing a hydraulic transmission of the converter type having a casing containing twin impellers and twin turbine members on each side of the impellers with each set of turbines arranged to rotate in opposite directions and all turbines connected to deliver their combined torque to a common driving member.

Another object is to provide a hydraulic transmission of the converter type having a casing containing twin impellers and turbines and twin nuid guide members at opposite ends of the casing, said fluid guide members extending from the inside periphery of the casing to its hub.

Another object of the invention is to provide for a motor vehicle, a hydraulic transmission of the converter type, having an air cooled system comprising a stationary casing containing a rotatable fluid unit, the rotatable fluid unit having means for circulating air around its sides, the stationary casing having an air intake opening and an air exhaust opening, movement of the vehicle causing fresh air to be drawn into the stationary casing for circulation therein and around said fluid unit and to be exhausted therefrom.

Still another object is to provide an improved transmission of the above character including a novel arrangement for preventing leakage of fluid, when the unit is at rest, together with a highly desirable and effective construction for cooling the fluid during operation of the transmission.

A further object resides in associating with the transmission, a novel control valve which is disposed within the transmission housing, and providing exterior connections operable by suitable Vehicle controlling elements, for effectively shifting such valve in order to vary the operating characteristics of the transmission.

A still further object is to provide a transmission and control of the above type which includes relatively few parts, the construction and arrangement thereof being such that a compact and efficiently operable structure is achieved, and one which may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein several embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is to be eX- pressly understood, however, that the drawings are utilized for purposes of illustration only and are not to be taken as a denition of the limits of the invention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views;

Fig. 1 is a side view partly in section of a fluid transmission embodying the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front View of one of the impellers illustrating the vanes and the side plate thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front View of the front cover of the transmission, taken substantially along line 3 3 of Fig. 1, and illustrating the cooling ns and outlet mouths of the annular cooling duct;

Fig. 4 is an axial sectional view of the control valve and driving shaft taken substantially along line 4 4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the controlling valve;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side view in section, and illustrating the control valve in closed position;

Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the transmission and controlling system therefor;

Fig. 8 is a side view partly in section of a slightly different form of fluid transmission;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating in a developed plan, the cooperation between the working fluid and the transmission members, and taken substantially along line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line I I il of Fig. 8 and illustrate the vanes carried by the rotatable reactionary member;

Fig. l1 is a fragmentary sectional View of a modified form of the construction of Fig. 8, and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the reactionary vanes of the device of Fig. l1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, one embodiment of the novel hydraulic power transmission constituting the present invention is illustrated therein as comprising a fluid transmitting unit I0 arranged to drlvably connect driving and driven shafts I2 and I4 respectively, the driving shaft l2 being suitably connected with a anged portion I6 of an engine crank shaft I8, while the driven shaft I4 is connected to a tail or propeller shaft through a forward and reverse transmission 22. The unit Iis preferably enclosed within a suitable housing 24, which may be, in the case of a motor vehicle installation, an extension of the engine crank case. As shown, the driving shaft I2 is projected through the central portion of the unit IIJ and at its outer end, is rotatably supported by a pilot bearing 26 carried by the driven shaft I4. The latter shaft is suitably rotatably supported in the housing 24, as by means of bearings 28, while a stationary bracket 30 is employed for supporting the outer portion of the casing 24.

`One of the novel features of the present invention resides in the construction of the fluid unit lil which provides a twin-type of impeller and turbine unit arranged to derive maximum efliciency from the working fluid and to dissipate the heat generated therein in a novel and effective manner. More particularly, the unit Il] includes an impeller 32 having a front member 34 and a rear member 36, these being joined together at their periphery and to a central division plate 38, and each being provided with a series.

of spaced apart radially extending vanes 40, see Fig, 2. Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the front impeller member 34 includes, in addition to the central plate 33, a side-plate 42 and an annular head ring 44, while the rear. impellerY member 35 embodies a similar side plate 46 and a similar head ring 48. The vanes of the respective impeller members are secured to the central plate 38 and to the side plates and head rings, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, the construction thus providing an outward radial ow of working fluid, followed by an axial flow to theV respective exhaust outlets and 52, the fluid paths constituting the working circuits being.

shown by the arrows 5I and 53.

In order to drivably connect the impeller 32 with the driving shaft I2, the latter is splined at 54 to receive the impeller hub 55 which is formed with a central annular plate 58 to divide the hub into front and rear intake manifolds. The front impeller member 34 is firmly secured to the hub 56 as by means of welding a manifold bridge ring 60 to the front portionof the hub and to the lower portion of the side plate 42. In like manner a rear bridge ring 62 is welded to the hub 56 and to the lower part ofthe sidev plate 46 in order to secure the rear impeller member 35 to the impeller hub. It will be understood that the bridge rings 60 and 62 are so constructed as to allow free flow of the fluid in the Working circuits 5I and 53.

For the purpose of transmitting torque from the impeller members 34 and 36 to the driven shaft I4 through the fluid circulating in the paths 5I and 53, the present invention provides a novel turbine construction. As shown, such construction includes a turbine 64 of thev twin type having a front cover 56 and a rear cover 68, these being provided with peripheral flanges secured together by a series of bolts l0. As shown. the rear cover 68 is welded or otherwise secured to a rear cone 12, integral or otherwise connected with the driven shaft I4, while the front cover 66 is suitably connected with a supporting front cone 14 which is rotatably mounted on the driving shaft I2 as by meansof a bearing 76.

Front and rear bladed turbine rings 18 "and 80- are respectively secured to the corresponding front and rear covers 66 and 68 and positioned to receive the working fluid issuing axially from exhaust outlets 50 and 52 and to direct the same axially to annular chambers 82 and 84, where, after traveling downwardly therein, as shown by the arrows, the fluid is directed back into the impeller in a manner which will appear more fully hereinafter.

Means are provided by the present invention for effectively dissipating heat generated in the working fluid during operation of the unit. As shown, such means includes internal cooling means comprising front and rear annular air cooling or Ventilating ducts 86 and-88, each of which is provided with a plurality of spaced apart open mouths 90, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Preferably, these mouths are relatively narrow and are' angularly arranged, as shown, in order to function as secondary turbine blades in a manner which will be more particularly described hereafter. In order to conduct cooling air to the ducts 86 and 88 through the mouths 90, the turbine 84 is provided with front and rear cover plates 92 and 94 respectively, the front cover plate 82 having an air intake opening 98 and an air exhaust opening 98, while the rear cover plate 84 is provided with like openings |02 and |04. Each cover plate carries a plurality of spaced apart radially arranged cooling fins |08, see Fig. 3, and exterior cooling fins |08 are provided to further increase the dissipation of heat.

In order to conduct cooling air from the exterior, and direct it to the cooling means just described, the stationary casing 24 is provided with one or more air inlet openings y| I and ||2 preferably one in the top half and opening forwardly. An exhaust opening ||4 is arranged at the bottom of the casing 24 to function in the manner of an ejector to create a forced circulation of air` through the casing. For example, when the motor vehicle is in motion, it creates an air stream flowing around and pastvthe air exhaust opening I|4 and the movement of the air passing the air exhaust opening I4 will draw in cool air through the air intake openings ||0| I2 and exhaust it through the air exhaust opening I |4. Thus a constant circulation of fresh air is supplied to the fluid unit I0 to be circulated V around the casings by the rotation of the casing (iii- 68.

One of the important features of the invention resides in the provision of a novel arrangement for controlling the effectiveness of the fluid workf i ing circuits 5| and 53, and in the form illustrated, such arrangement includes a fluid control valve II6, Figs. 1 and 6, which forms a portion of the impeller manifold. More particularly, the valve H6 is of cup-shaped form and includes a forward vertically arranged plate ||8 together with a cylindrical sleeve portion |20, the latter being provided with a plurality of openings |22 which, in the position shown in Fig. l, permits the fluid in the circuit 53 to flow from rear inner impeller blades |24, secured to the hub 58, outwardly through the rear outer impeller blades 40. I In like manner, the fluid in the working circuit 5| flows outwardly from the front inner impellerA y blades |26, which are secured to the plate ||8,

and through the front impeller blades 40. In the event, however, that the valve IIS is shifted from open position to the position shown in Fig.

6, it will be readily understood that the flow offlud. in `theworking circuits 5| l-and53 is gradually diminished and finally arrested. This will be clear when it is seen that the circuit 53 is interrupted by the sleeve portion |20 while the plate ||8 obstructs the flow in the circuit 5|. With the fluid flow through the circuits 5| and 53 completely interrupted by closure of the valve I6, the transmission of torque from the impeller 32 to the turbine 84 is likewise interrupted and the driven shaft I4 is thus effectively disconnected from the driving shaft I2.

The above mentioned control of the fluid flow through operation of the valve ||6 is secured by shifting a yoke |28 which is splined at |30 to the driving shaft I2, and connected to the valve ||6 as by a plurality of arms |32. As will appear from Fig. 4, the arms |32 are positioned between certain of the splines 54 and the outer ends of the arms are connected with the plate I I8 of the valve in such a manner as to allow a slight amount of lost motion at |34 and |38. Thus, a relatively simple but highly effective arrangement is provided for shifting the valve ||6 from its open position, as shown in Fig. l, to its closed position, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

As heretofore stated, a forward and reverse transmission 22 is provided for connecting the unit I0 to the tail shaft 20 in order to drive the vehicle forwardly or rearwardly. More particularly, such transmission comprises a forward and reverse clutch member |38 which is splined at |40 to a lay shaft |42, the latter being in turn splined at |44 to the driven shaft I4. A suitable yoke |45, adapted to be rock-ed in either direction by a cross shaft |46, is secured t-o the clutch |38 so that movement of the latter to the right is effective to establish forward drive through a ring gear |48 by reason of the engagement between clutch teeth |50 and |52. Reverse gear may readily be established by rocking the yoke in the opposite direction to drive the ring gear |48 in the opposite direction through a sun gear |54 and pinions |56, the latter being mounted to rotate about stationary shafts |58. In order to drive the sun gear |54, suitable clutch teeth may be formed thereon for driving engagement with clutch teeth |62 carried by the clutch |38.

A novel arrangement is provided for readily controlling the operation of the transmission v22 and preferably such arrangement is so constituted as to enable the establishment of a direct drive between shafts |2 and I4, thereby shunting the fluid transmission I0 and eliminating the customary slip in hydraulic devices of this 'character.v In order to achieve such desirable results, see Figs. l and 7, the cross shaft |48 Ais adapted to be operated by a control lever |84 which is preferably mounted on the vehicle steering column beneath the steering wheel so as to be readily accessible to the operator. The lever |64 is provided with a detent or latch |68 which is adapted to occupy suitable notches |68, |10, |12 or |14 on a segment |16 in order` to maintain the lever in its'various positions of adjustment.

In order to secure the direct drive between the' shafts I2 and |4, as referred to above, a direct drive clutch |18, which may be of any suitable type, is formed by providing the yoke |28 with a plurality of vclutch teeth which are adapted to engage clutch teeth |82 formed on a clutch member |84 secured to the f-ront cone 14. The clutch may be engaged by shifting a lever |86 secured to a cross shaft |88, the latter extending outside the casing 24 and having a leve;` arm |90 secured thereto', the arm |90 beingactuatedA gether with a spring 202 interposed between aA collar 204, xed to the link |98, and a washer 20.6 slidable on the link. In this manner, when lever |64 is moved to bring the latch |66 into the notch |14, the lever arm |90 isrockedin acounterclockwise direction to engage the direct-drive; clutch |18, the motion of the link |98 beingimparted to the sleeve 200 through the-resilient orY spring loaded connection comprising spring202. and washer 206. In Aorder to allow movement; of the lever |64 inv the manner stated, the latter is connected to the cross shaft |46 through a springA loading coil having ends 208 and 2I0., Thus;`

after forward drive has been established by moving lever |64.to notch |l2 to engage clutch teeth |50 and |52, the springr loading coilwreadily allows the lever to move to the'no-tch I`Il|v to engagethe direct drive clutch |78.

Novel meansare providedby the present invention for preventing the leak-age 01",. luidfromthe unit l along the bearing and seals associated with the driving and driven shafts I2 and I4 ref.

spectively. As shown, such means include front and rear annular reservoirs 2|2 and 2| 4 whichY are respectively carried` by the front andv rear impeller members 34 and 36. ThesereservoirsV ae provided with respective annular openings 2 I 6 and 2I8 and the capacities thereof are such that when the impeller i-s at rest, a sufficient amount of the working fluid in the unit will flow int-o the reservoirs by way of openings 2|8 and 2I8 as toI bring the level of the working fluid below-the shafts I2 and I4. Thus, with the impellerj stationary,rleakage ofV fluid past theshaft bearingsand seals is entirely eliminated.

In addition to the foregoing advantageousfeatures of the present invention, a novel control system is provided which not; only serves to coordinate the functioning of the direct drive clutch and the forward and reverse transmission',

but also to correlate the operationY ofthe fluid controlling valve I IS with other controls ofthe vehicle. More particularly, the control system includes operative connections between the valve IIB andthe accelerator pedal 220the latter being mounted for rocking movement as sho'wnvin Fig.. '7 and being provided with a link 222 connected with the carburetor throttle arm, not,A

shown. The connecting linkage betweenA the throttle arm and pedal 220 may be of conventional forin but should include a spring-loaded or other type of connection which will enablethe pedal to move from the fullthrottle openxpor sition A to the position B. The construction is also such that the pedalmay be movedgfrom the normal idling position C to the position D.

It will be recalled that movement of the yoke |28 toward the left, asviewed in Fig. l, servesto close the valve IIS and interrupt the flow ofthe working fluid in the circuits 5I and 53. In order to utilize the movement of the accelerator pedal 220 to control the operation of the valvel H6, the, lever arm` |00 is connected with ahorizontally extendinglink 224 whichis connected at spaced pointswitiiieyers -zrzseintrifft;Y Lever 22ers as sociatedgwith a plunger 230 operable by the front'v ortoe portionof thepedal- 220, while-.lever-228 is associated witha; plunger/23,21 Which may be ope erated by. the ,rearfor heel portion of thev accelerator` pedal. By reason of these connections, it will be, readily understood that movement ofthe accelerator pedal 22 0 to, either the positions D or B will serve to shift the linkl 2241to the right,;rock the lever in a clockwise direction and move the valve II|` toward closedposition Preferably the: connections are such that with the pedal moved togposi-tionD, thel valve IIB will bel fully closed,l while only` partial closure of the valve will occur whenv the pedal, is moved` to position B. The novel, control system also incorporates a master control pedal 234.- which may be the vehicle brake, pedal, which; has-:aprimary functionv ofy neutralizing-the ilu-idunitf I0, and ase'condary function; ofv applying. ther vehicle brakes. Ther pedal 23,4i ineffecting; its primary function may'. be' rocked in acounterclockwise direction about' its-,pivot 236 togshifil the link 224 to the right and close? the valve by extendingV the; link 224 through an opening 238m the; lower end of the pedal and providing the end4 of thelink withga stopv 240. Thus'- even though the-lever-lf: has been operated to connect thedirect ,drive clutch, I 78, such clutch may bedisengaged; and; the valve I I6` closed, by operating. the master control pedal 231|.y Such op-V erationv serves-)to positively shift-the. link- 224 tol the righttomove the lever' |90, inaclockwise direction, the-sleeve 2,0.0lcompressing the spring 202 duringtheopening of@ the direct drive clutch and thel closing lof the valve; II 6.

From the above; itwill be alsounderstoodtha't the control system provides a1 novel arrangementI which effective by movement'of theaccelerator pedal- 220 beyond the throttle openV position to disconnect the direct drive and re-establish a fluid drive between the'dri-ving. and driven shafts. For example,4 and,` as above pointed out; the direct dri-ve clutch- |18@ may be shifted .to engage` clutchteeth |80 and; |82 through movement of the lever |-64-to;thegnotch |14; 'Ijhismovement shiftslink |98= to theleftandrocksthe-lever` |90 inv acounterclockwise direction. During thisv op-f eration,4 thel washer`V 206 engages the sleeve 200 and the. springr 202; is.- compressed through'. the4 shiftingfof the link4 I 93. With the direct drive clutch thus engaged, depression of the accelerator pedal 220 .beyond the full throttleposition to the positioniB Will.v serve to shiftthe link 224 to the right andv return, the lever |90 to the position shown in Fig-J. Thusthe direct drive clutch; I 'I8 will be: disengagedfandafl-uid drive Will bereestablishedf between` theI driving and driven shafts. It willbenoted .that during shifting.l of the link 2,24 toyreturn the lever |90 to its normal position, i the sleeve.v 200. will compressy the spring 2.02- afurther amount.` Thej spring thus constitutes-,a power device which is effective to restore the-direct,drivev connection by power, as soonasv theaccelerator pedal returns to a throttleop-v erable position. During such movement of the pedal 22B-,the spring 20,2 serves to move-thelever |90 ina counterclockwise direction and-toA shiftY the direct'drive clutch to the right, Fig. l, in order torre-engage the clutch teeth- |80 and |82.

In operation, and assuming that,v the fluid' unit I0 has been filledfwithsuiicientjuid to consti-l -tutethe workingcircuits 5| andl-53iwhen the unit is in operation,u it will-beiunderstoodthat a large portion of such-fluid Willxbercontainediwithinjther This operation is achieved:

annular reservoirs 2|2 and 2|4 when the transmission is at rest. Hence, the level of the iiuid outside of the reservoirs will be below the shafts |2 and i4, the shaft bearings and seals, so that no leakage of fluid from the unit I will occur when the unit is not rotating. When the impeller is rotated, all of the fluid will be expelled from the reservoirs 2 I 2, 2|4 into the working circuits.

With the parts occupying the neutral position shown in Figs. 1 and 7, it is only necessary to close the valve H6 by either operation of the master control pedal 234, or movement of the accelerator pedal 220 to position D, whereupon the vehicle engine is started in the usual manner. As soon as the engine has started, the lever |84 may be shifted to forward drive, it being recalled that the driving and driven shafts |2 and I4 respectively, are effectively disconnected by reason of the interruption of the fluid working circuits 5| and 53 due to the cl-osure of valve IIB. In this .mannen the hydraulic transmission unit |0 functions as a disconnectible clutch between the driving and driven shafts. It will be understood that during movement of the lever |84 to the forward speed notch |12, forward speed will be established by reason of the engagement between clutch teeth |50 and |52 formed respectively on the clutch member |38 and the ring gear |48.

After forward speed has been established, it is only necessary to move the accelerator pedal 228 toward throttle opening position, and release the master pedal 234 in the event it had ypreviously been operated to close the valve I6. As soon as these operations have been effected, the lever |83, through the action of the centering springs |92 and |94, will automatically assume the neutral position shown and the valve H6 will be shifted tail shaft by way of the driven shaft I4, counr tershaft |42, clutch |38 and ring gear |48. After the fluid passes through the turbine blades I8 and 88, the fluid encounters the inclined ventilating mouths 98 which are so arranged as to function as secondary turbine blades to impart addi- .Y

tional force to rotate the unit I8. Thereafter the iiuid .passes into the impeller manifold where it is picked up by the inner impeller hub blades |24 and |26 and again forced out to the outer impeller blades of the front and rear impeller members 34 and 36.

During the circulation of the iiuid in the Working circuits as outlined above, the fluid is cooled by contact with the walls of the cooling ducts 88 and 88 while additional cooling is secured by the use of the cooling ns |06 and |08. A further uid cooling means is provided by the auxiliary circuits shown by the arrows 240 and 242.

During the first phases-of operation of the unit l0, the torque tranmitted will be increased, and

this increase will gra-dually diminish and approximate a direct drive proportion. This will be readily understood when it is seen that when the impeller and the turbine are rotating at sub-stantially the same speed, the uid in the working circuits also rotates with the unit, at the same speed and -in the same direction. Thus, there will be substantially no flow of fluid in the working circuits 5| and 53 and the operation of the unit will be similar to a hydraulic coupling transmission of power.

'One of the m-ore important features of the nvention includes the provision for rapid acceleration of the vehicle under the control of the operator. This desirable feature is secured by moving the accelerator pedal 228 past the wide open throttle position A to thel position B. This action causes a partial closure of the valve ||B through operation of the plunger 230, lever 226, link 224, lever arm and lever |815, it being understood that the yoke |28 is thereby moved to the left, as viewed' in Fig. 1. As the working circuits 5| and 53 are thus partially closed olf by movement of the plate ||8 and cylindrical .portion |20 of the valve H6 to the left, it will be understood that the impeller load is slightly relieved, thereby allowing the vehicle engine' to quickly accelerate. Acceleration of the engine will in turna-ccelerate the impeller 32 in order to greatly increase the velocity of the fluid in the working circuits and thereby establish an acceleration of the vehicle by reestablis'hing the fluid working circuits. As soon as the desired acceleration has been obtained, the accelerator pedal 220 may be returned to its normal operating range, whereupon the centering springs |92, |94 will return the lever |88 and parts connected therewith, to normal position with the valve H6 fully open. The functioning .and operation of the uid transmission unit in the manner just `described is generally similar, insofar as the results obtained are concerned, to the action of kick-down units now in commercial use. That is, a rapid acceleration of the vehicle is obtained by merely trampling down on the accelerator pedal.

With the hydraulic unit operating as heretofore stated, it will be readily understood that a slight amount of slip will occur between the impeller and turbine. In the event that the operat-or should desire to eliminate this slip, as for example if the vehicle is being operated onza roadway with Very great upgrade, it is only necessary to connect the Vdirect drive clutch to bypass or shunt the hydraulic unit l0 and fluid working circuits 5| and 53. This may be effected by merely moving the lever |64 until the latch |66 registers with the direct drive notch |'|4. Such movement of the lever, allowed by the springs 208 and 2|0 between the lever and the cross shaft |46, causes counterclockwise movement of the lever arm |90 through shifting of the link |98, and axial movement of the yoke |28 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. Axial movement of the yoke |28, permitted by the lost motion at |34 and |36 in part |32, causes engagement of the direct drive clutch |18 in order to transmit power directly from the driving shaft |2 to the driven shaft |4 by way of the engaged clutch |18, front cone 14, the turbine 84, and rear cone 12. In this manner, the hydraulic transmission unit is by-passed or shunted and the inherent slip thereinis eliminated.

In the event that the vehicle is being operated in direct drive as above described, and the operator desires to quickly disconnect the driving and driven shafts, it will be perceived that such action may be readily effected by merely operating the master control pedal 234. During this operation, the lower end of the pedal moves the link 224 to the right, compressing'the spring .202

and rocking thelever |86 to such aposition that the direct drive clutch |78 is disengaged and the valve .H5 is closed. As heretofore stated,

this action-interrupts the flowof :duid inthe working circuits 5| and 53 and effectively disconnects the driving connection between the shafts I2 and-|11 through the unit 10.

It will be also understood that with the vehicle operating in direct drive, an automatic shift to iiuid drive maybe secured by moving the accelerator pedal 22|) beyond its throttle open posiltion and to the position B. This action moves l.the 'plunger' 230 downwardly vandsnifts lthe link 22'4 :to the Yright through the :bell crank 226. Y

Upon movement of the lever |90 to the n-ormal Aposition .illustrated in Fig. '7,the direct drive iclutch |18 vwill be'disengaged'and the fluid drive will be'reeestablished. At 'the same time, the

spring power means 202 will be further Ycompressed through movement of the sleeve 1209.

'When the 'accelerator pedal ris're'turned to its throttle operating range, the Yspring'zllZ willenpand zand move the lever |90 in `a lcountercloclrembodiment of Fig. `1 'and is designed to `be controlled by 'the 4same control'lsystem vdisclosed in Fig. 7. The major 'differences between the two structures resides chiefly in the construction and method of operation Aol" the hydraulic power transmitting units and to the fact that Fig. 8 includes an over-drive mechanism which is effective when the direct drive clutch iis engaged. In

addition, Fig. 8 incorporates twin impellers which Acooperate with one'set of twin turbine m-'em'bers 'position-'ed at one side of thezimpellers and with -`another v.set of'twin turbine members positioned :at the other side of `the impellers. `-also ,provided to connect'all of thelturbine members and to deliver their combined torque r'outputs to a common driving element.

Means are More particularly, .and referring to Fig. 8, the impeller 32 and Vcontrolling *valve ||6 `of the power unit 249 are similar tothe corresponding `parts of Fig. l. However, the twin primary turbine members 252, 254 are rotatably mounted with respect to the casing members 66, 68 while the latter carries vanes 264 and functions as a secondary turbine member rotating in t'he opposite direction to 'that of the .primary turbine members' 252,254.

As sh-own, the turbine 250 4comprises forward and rear turbine members 252 and 254, connected togetherat their periphery as by bolts 256 and 'ea-ch lbeing provided with a series of prim-ary blades 258 and a series'of secondary blades 250. The forward turbine member 252 is suitably rotatably mounted on the driving shaft 2, as by means of a bearing 262, while the rear turbine member 254 is drivably'connected in any convenient manner with aturbine shaft 255.

In order to derive additional energy from the working fluid traversing the working circuits 5| .and 53 of Fig. l8, the casing parts 66 and 68 func- 4tiernas'secondary turbine'members and are provid'ed with vanes l264 which are 'adapted to receiv-e the fluid. from" the iprimary turbineimembers 252 yand 254 androtate the secondary Iturbine members 66, 58 in theopposite direction to that of the primary vturbine members 252 and 254 and to discharge the fluid rotating inthe direction of rotation of the twinimpellers 32. Thus it is not requiredto have a stationary reactionary member to turn the fluid in the direction of rotation of the twin impellers 32.

A novel means is provided for drivably connecting the primary turbine members 252 and 254 and the secondary turbine members 66. 6B with the lay shaft |42 'of the transmission 22, and such means ispreferably so arranged as to derive driving torque from both rthe primary turbine and .the secondary .turbine members. As shown, suchmeansincludes anoverrunning roller clutch connection between the turbine shaft v2555 ,and the driven shaft i4 which is l*suitably splined at 268 tothelay shaft.|42. .More

-particularly, the turbinegshaft255,which'iscon- V.nected with theprimary turbine membersi252 .and 254, is .formed with-.an overrunning 'Qlutch driving .cam 2'10 cooperating with one ormore rollers 222, thelatterin turn being 4,associated with a sun gear 2'14 connected with the driven shaft i4. Sun gear 274 meshes with one or more pinions Zit, which are mounted on stationary shafts '2"@8 carried by a support 230 Xed to the casing 24 by screws 282, and the pinions 216 mesh with a ring gear 284. The latter is secured by screws 286 to the rear cone 12 and since the said cone is welded or otherwise attached tothe casing member |33, it will be seen that the primary lturbine members 252 and 254, which rotate in one direction, and the secondary turbine members 66, 58 which rotate in the opposite direction, are coordinated with the countershaft |42. It is desired to point out here, that the clutch cam 2W contacts the rollers 212 and imparts driving torque to vthe driven shaft I4 only when the twin primary turbine members 252 and 254 `are vrotating clockwisezunder the iniiuence Aof fluid pressure.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a diagrammatic view of the twin impeller, twin primam7 turbine `mem- .,bers and twin secondary turbine members is Y bine blades 258, which are curved or inclined to impart a clockwise rotation to the primary turbine members 252 and 254, as shown by vthe arrows F. Thereafter, the fluid exhausting from the primary turbine blades, flows .in a path which is curved in va direction opposite lto .the direction of rotation of the turbine .and'strikes `the secondary turbine vanes 264 carried by the rotatable casing 66, 68. The .latter member hence rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as seen by the arrows G. As will appear jfrom Fig. 10, the vanes 264 .are suitably curved in vorder to derive maximum energy from'the working fluid. 'Since the fluid will be 'discharged moving in Ythe'same direction of rotation as that of the twin impeller 32, it is not'required that the secondary impeller vanes 264 'be `extended as far as the hub. From this construction `it will beseen that as 'the uid 'strikes the vanes 254 #of the "secondary turbine members 66 and 68, further torque transmission lwill -be derived without abruptly changing the direction of the fluid, as would be the case if stationary reactionary vanes were employed. By dispensing with such abrupt change in the direction of flow of the working fluid, considerable heat and power losses are avoided. The fluid circuit just described is very eective for it permits the uid to flow with a continuous working effort without being turned by a stationary reactionary member. For example, the fluid discharges from one element directly into the succeeding element and the fluid is always moving in the direction of rotation of the preceding element before entering therein and is finally discharged directly into the impeller with the fluid moving in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

In the operation of the device of Fig. 8, the initial operation of the control system of Fig. 7, as heretofore described in connection with Fig. 1, is precisely the same with respect to closing the valve |I6 and placing the transmission 22 in forward drive. After the engine is started, and the valve I|6 opened, the accelerator pedal 226 is operated in the same manner to increase the speed of the vehicle engine.

As the impeller 32 rotates in a clockwise direction. with the valve I|6 open, it will be appreciated from the previous description, that the establishment of the fluid working circuits and 53 will serve to rotate the primary twin turbine members 252 and 254 in a clockwise direction, while the secondary twin turbine members 66, 68 will rotate in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow G in Fig. 9. With the secondary twin turbines or casings 6G, 68

rotating counterclockwise the ring gear 284 attached thereto will impart a counterclockwise rotation to pinion 216 which will in turn impart a clockwise rotation to the sun gear 214 attached to the turbine driven sleeve I4. The

primary twin turbine members 252, 254 which are rotating clockwise will also deliver their torque to the turbine driven sleeve I4 through the overrunning clutch 210, 212, 214. Thus, Vthe combined torques of all the turbine members is delivered to a common driving element, namely, the turbine driven sleeve I4 and this element is rotated clockwise when viewed from the direc.

tion of arrow W, Fig. 8.

A forward and reverse turbine drive is provided. The driven sleeve I4 is connected by gearing in the transmission case 22 previously described, and provided for a forward drive when the clutch member |38 engages the ringgear clutch member |52. A reverse drive is obtained by connecting the shiftable clutch member |38 with the sun gear clutch member |60. A positive neutral position is obtained when the shiftable clutch member |38 is not connected to any other clutch member.

In addition to the above, a mechanical drive is provided for connecting the driving shaft I2 with the propeller shaft 28. By rotatingthe lever |86 in a counterclockwise direction, the clutch member |18, splined at |36 to the driving shaft |2, will be moved to the right to engage the clutch teeth |80 with the clutch teeth |82 fixed to the casing members 66, 68, thus connecting the casing to the driving shaft I2 to be rotated clockwise therewith. With the casing 66, 68 connected to the driving shaft I2, the power flow will be as follows: driving shaft I2 to casing 66, 68, to ring gear 284 rotating clockwise, to pinion 216 rotating clockwise and to sun gear 214 rotating counterclockwise. Thus, the driven shaft I4, the lay shaft |42 and the shiftable clutch member |38 will all be rotating counterclockwise. When the shiftable clutch member |38 is shifted to the left its teeth |62 will engage the sun gear teeth rotating the sun gear |54 in a counterclockwise direction which will impart va clockwise rotation to the ring gear |48 and propeller shaft 28. It is pointed out here that when the primary turbine members 252, 254 are free from `the influence of the circulating fluid that the over-running clutch 210, 212, 214 will release the primary turbine members for free rotation independent of the secondary turbine members 264 and the casing 66, 68.

An overdrive maybe provided by changing the direction of rotation of the impeller and primary turbine members from clockwise to counterclockwise. For example, with the driving shaft I2 and the casngs 66, 68 connected by clutch |18 to rotate together, the ring gear 284 will also rotate counterclockwise, rotating the pinion 216 counterclockwise and imparting a clockwise rotation to the sun gear 214, the turbine driven sleeve I4, lay-shaft |42 and shiftable clutch member |38. Since the ring gear 284 fixed to the casing is larger in diameter than the sun gear 212 it and all members attached to the sun gear 212 will be rotated faster than the ring gear 284. Thus, an overdrive can be delivered to propeller shaft 25. In Fig. 8 the method of operating the ring valve ||6 is the same as previously described in connection with Figs. 1 and 7.

Referring now to Figs. l1 and 12, a variation of the form of the invention of Fig. 8 is shown therein, wherein the twin impeller and the twin primary turbine are arranged to rotate in a clockwise direction, while the reactionary vanes 264 attached to the casing member 68 are arranged so that counterclockwise rotation thereof is prevented, while clockwise rotation thereof is allowed.

More particularly, and referring to Fig. 1l, together with Fig. 8, the twin turbine members 252 and 254 are rotatable relative to the casings 66, 68 and are formed integrally with or are suitably connected to the driven shaft I4 which is splined to the countershaft |42 as in Figs. 1 and 8. Fixed to the stationary casing 24 is an overruning clutch cam ring 298, which is adapted to cooperate with a plurality of clutch rollers 292. The reactionary member 68 is secured to the rear cone support 12 which in turn, cooperates with the clutch rollers 292, the construction being such that the overrunning clutch 296, 292 prevents the member 68 from rotating counterclockwise, when the vanes 264 thereof are subjected to fluid reaction, while allowing clockwise rotation of the reaction member 68 when the vanes 264 are freed from the fluid pressure reaction.

In addition to the foregoing, it will be understood that the primary vanes 258 of the respective turbine members 252 and 254 are so inclined as to cause clockwise rotation of the turbine in response to circulation of the working fluid in the circuits 5| and 53. Thus while the impeller and turbine rotate in a clockwise direction, the exhaust of iiuid from the turbine vanes 258 will be in a counterclockwise direction and the fluid, in striking the reactionary vanes 264, will impose a counterclockwise thrust on the reaction members 66, 68. However, due to the use of the overrunning clutch 296, 292, the reaction member may not move in a counterclock- Vwise direction, andhence Athe duid reaction pf the Working circuits 55| Vand 53 will be taken by reaction vanes which lare stationary.

In operation, as soon as the impellerand tur- .bine of Fig. 11, are rotating at approximately the same speed, the exhaust nfrom the turbine members 252 and v2541 Will nally cease to exert a thrust against the reactionary vanes 264. In this condition, the reactionary members or casings 66, t8 will be freed, by the overrunning clutch 296, 292 andcan follow the rotating impeller and turbine parts vin a clockwise direction. Thus, the unit will vfunction as a uid coupling. Attention is directed to the position and shape of the reactionary varies 26:3. Ihey are positioned andattached to the insideef the casing members 66, kt8 and extend from the Ytop of thecasingto its hub. Thus they Vare lccatedin ,allarge .area

A159, being attached t0 .the

.to Aan area where itcan best be cooled.

.lt is `recognized .that the .Huid discharging from a turbineimefmber will vary its angle of discharge at diierent turbine speeds. However, the shape of the reactionary vanes 264 is such that they will accommodate this-variation in angular discharge of the fluid. For example, see Fig. 9, which will illustrate the following: Part of the reactionary vanes'2fl extend axially inward and part of the varies extend at substantial right angles to the axially inward extended part. Since the fluid is exhausted axially from the primary turbine members 252, 254 it is obvious that the shape ofthe reactionary vanes 264 is such that they will accommodate the change in the angular discharge of the fluid from the turbine members.

While the controls of Fig. 7 are intended to be used with the form of Figs. l1 and l2, itis desired to point out that when the clutch |18 is engaged, the reactionary members 66, 68 is caused torotate in a clockwise direction -at driving shaft speed. Hence, the operator may pick up and rotate the reactionary member at will. With the reactionary members 66, 68 rotating, the vanes 254 will force the iluid radially outward balancing the radially outward iiow of the iluid from the impeller 32 and thus, the Huid circulation will be stopped. However, a direct mechanical connection between the ydriving and driven shafts may not be obtained, since the casing or reaction members 5S, G3 is never connected to the driven shaft i4. Aside from this action, the control system including the valve HS of Figs. 1 Vand 8 operate in the `same manner as in said i'igures.

The present invention thus providesa variety of novel hydraulic transmission devices together with a simpliiied and highly advantageous system of controls. For example, the use of .thecontrolling valve for interrupting the fluid working circuits enables the driving and driven members to be effectively disconnected, thus eliminating the necessity of yextraneous and costly clutch mechanisms. Partial closing of the valve under the control of the accelerator pedal enables a rapid :acceleration of the vehicleto be obtained in a relatively vsimple manner. A further advantage of the control system proposed, resides in the incorporation of the direct drive clutch .operated by the lever |64 which may conveniently be mounted on the steering column within easy reach 'of the operator. Several diierent and desirablearesults are achieveddn the various 16 forms Vof 'the invention, by closing this clutch, as .for example, the ,direct drive of Fig. l, the

.overdrive of Fig. 8 and the casing rotation of Fig. u1l. In all forms however, the master control 23fl is so coordinated in the system as to readily eiect disengagement of the clutch and partial or total closure of the valve H to control the operation of the iluid transmissions.

Additional advantages are derived from the various types of iiuid transmissions disclosed herein. For example, in conventional torque converters, when the turbine and impeller speeds approach each other, stationary reaction members tend to block the fluid circuit, thereby resulting in la decrease in the multiplication and transmission of torque. This is caused primarily by the change in the angle of discharge of the fluid from the turbine as the latter gains speed. For example, during initial starting, the angular discharge from the turbine may be as high as45 degrees, which .may drop to 20 degrees or less as the speed of the turbine increases.

.Conventional stationarygreactionary vanes heretofore utilized and rpositioned in the hub area do not compensate for these changes and thus the natural result of the prior constructions is the blocking of the fluid circuit as the speed of the turbine increases.

In the present invention however, and referring to Figs. 8, 9, 10 and l2, the :duid is discharged axially of the turbine and regardless of the change in the angle of discharge, the simple guide vane structure 261i will operate at maximum e-liciency and at no time will it block the fluid working circuits. While the descriptions thus far have been directed to twin impellers and turbines it is obvious that an effective unit can be produced by using only half of the impellers and turbines. That is, a single impeller and turbine of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 or a single impeller with double rotating turbine members as Fig. 8, may be advantageously utilized.

While several forms of the invention have been disclosed herein and described with considerable particularity, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art, that various changes and modications thereof may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Reference will therefore be had to the appended claims for a denition of the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a single hydraulic power transmitting unit connecting said shafts, and a throttle controlling element, said unit including a rotatable casing together with means to circulate fluid therein, valve means in said casing and rotatable therewith and movable to vary the torque transmitting characteristics of said power transmitting unit, means to mount said element for movement in a throttle controlling range and in a separate transmitting unit controlling range outside the throttle controlling range, and means to control said valve means by said element only when the latter is moved in said transmitting unit controlling range.

2. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and a throttle controlling element, means to mount said element vfor movement in one direction in a rstrange to move `the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in said one direction beyond the full open position, a hydraulic power transmission including a closed fluid circuit for transmitting torque from the driving to the driven shaft, valve means movable in said circuit to variably restrict the iiow of fluid in said circuit and thereby vary the transmission of torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, and means controlled by movement of said element in said second range beyond the full open position of the throttle for controlling said valve means.

3. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and a throttle controlling element, means to mount said element for movement in one direction in a first range to move the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in Said one direction beyond the full open position, a hydraulic power transmission includ-` ing rotatable impeller and turbine members and a closed fluid circuit therebetween for transmitting torque from the -driving shaft to the driven shaft, valve means carried by the impeller and movable to variably restrict the flow of fluid in said circuit to thereby vary the transmission of torque from the driving shaft tothe driven shaft, and means controlled by movement of said element in said second range beyond the full open position of the throttle for controlling said valve means.

4. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and a throttle controlling element, means to mount said element for movement in one direction in a iirst range to move the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in said one direction beyond the full open position, a hydraulic power transmission including rotatable impeller and turbine members and a closed iluid circuit therebetween for transmitting torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, valve means carried vby the impeller and surrounding the driving shaft and movable to variably restrict the flow of fluid in said circuit to thereby vary the transmission of torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft, and means controlled by movement of said element in said second range beyond the full open position of the throttle for controlling said valve means.

5. A controlling mechanism of the character set forth in claim 3 wherein the valve means is carried by the impeller hub and is movable to completely arrest flow of fluid in said circuit.

6. A power transmitting system for a motor vehicle having a throttle controlled engine and a throttle controlling element movable in opposite directions to open and close the throttle, means to mount said element for movement in one direction in a first range to move the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in said one direction beyond the full open position, a driving member, a driven member, a hydraulic torque transmitting device for establishing a fluid drive between said members including a closed fluid working circuit interposed between said members, said device having an impeller connected with the driving member and a turbine connected with the driven member, valve means for variably restricting the flow of fluid in said working circuit, and means for mechanically coupling the driving and driven shafts to thus shunt said hydraulic device, and means operable by movement of said element in said second range beyond the full open position of the throttle to disconnect the mechanical coupling and re-establish said fluid drive.

7. A power transmitting system for a motor vehicle having a throttle controlled engine and a throttle controlling element movable in opposite directions to open and close the throttle, means to mount said element for movement in one direction in a first range to move the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in said one direction beyond the full open position, a driving member, a driven member, avhydraulic torque transmitting device -for establishing a fluid drive between said members including a closed fluid working cirfcuit interposed between said members, said device having an impeller connected with the driving member anda turbine connected with the driven member, valve means for variably restricting the ilow of fluid in said working circuit, means for mechanically coupling the driving and driven shafts to thus shunt the hydraulic device, and common means for operating said valve means and said mechanical coupling means, and means operable by movement of saidelement in said second range beyond the full open position of the throttle to disconnect the mechanical coupling and operate said valve means.

8. A power transmitting system as set forth in claim 7 wherein the valve means is carried by the hub ofthe impeller.

9. A power transmitting system comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and an output shaft, a hydraulic torque transmitting device interposed between said driving and driven shafts and including a closed fluid working circuit, said device having an impeller connected with the driving shaft and a turbine connected withthe driven shaft, means operable to mechanically connect the driving and driven shafts to thus shunt the hydraulic device, a forward and reverse gear transmission interposed between the driven and output shafts, a control member for operating the transmission to secure forward speed, and means connecting said member and mechanical connecting means to operate the latter while maintaining said forward speed.

10. A power transmitting system comprising a driving shaft, a driven shaft, and an output shaft, a hydraulic torque transmitting device interposed between said driving and driven shafts and including a closed fluid working circuit, said device having an impeller connected with the driving shaft and a turbine connected with the driven shaft, means operable to mechanically connect the driving and driven shafts to thus shunt the hydraulic device, valve means for variablyrestricting the ow of fluid in said working circuit, a gear transmission interconnected between the driven and output shafts for establishing forward and reverse speeds of the output shaft, a control member for the transmission, means connecting the control member and mechanical connecting means to operate the transmission for forward speed and to thereafter operate said connecting means to mechanically connect the driving and driven shafts, and a separate control member movable to disconnect said connecting means and to there- 19 after operate said valve means to Arestrict said fluid now.

1l. A power transmitting device.y comprising a driving member, a driven member. a uid torque transmitting device including a casing connected with the driven member, turbine blades carried by the casing, an. impeller connected with the driving member and arranged to set up a uid working circuit with said turbine blades to hydraulically transmit torque from the driving shaft to the driven shaft upon rotation of the driving shaft, a valve associated with the impeller for variably restricting the fluid iiow in said circuit, and means to connec-t the casing with the driving member.

12. A fiuid transmission comprising a vaned casing, rotatable impelled and turbine members within the casing for establishing a circulation of Working fluid in a closed path for transmitting torque from one of the members to another, means for rotating thev vaned casing in one direction and the turbine in the opposite direction for transmitting said torque, and gearing connecting said vaned casing and said turbine to compound their torques and to deliver the compounded torques to a common output member.

13. A uid transmission comprising a. driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotatable fluid transmission connecting said shafts including an impeller connected with the drivingv shaft, a rotatable casing for working uid and a turbine, means for connecting the casing and the turbine to the driven shaft to deliver torque thereto, means to at will connect the casing withv the driving shaft to shunt the fluidl transmission, and means including gearing to drive the driven shaft at an overdrive ratio when the casing 'is connected with the driving shaft.

14. A iiuid transmission as defined in claim 13 wherein the casing rotates in one direction and the turbine rotates in the opposite direction.

15. A fluid transmission comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotatable fluid transmission connecting said shafts including an impeller connected with the driving shaft, a rotatable casing for working fluid, and a primary turbine, said casing having vanes and constituting a secondary turbine, vanes on said. impeller, casing and primary turbine arranged to cooperate with the workingv uid so that, the primary turbine is rotated in one direction and the secondary turbine is rotated in the opposite direction, and gear means connecting the primary turbine and secondary turbine to com'- pound the torques delivered thereby and deliver such compounded toi-ques to the driven shaft.

16. A iiuid transmission as defined in claim 15 which includes in addition, means operable to variably restrict the fiovv of working fluid in the casing.

17. A fluid transmission as set forth inclaim 15 which comprises in addition, means to drivably connect the casing with the driving member to rotate the casing and impeller in the same direction.

18. A uid transmission comprising a rotatable bladed impeller, a rotatable bladed turbine, a rotatable casing provided with reactionary vanes, said casing containing' a supply of working fluid, means to rotate the impeller to set up a working fluid circuit interlinking the impeller, turbine and reactionary vanes to transmit and multiply torques by rotating the-impeller in one direction and the casing in ythe op- 20 posite direction, a driven member, and means including an overrunning clutch for connecting the casing and turbine to the driven member.

1-9. A fluid transmission comprising a rotatable bladed impeller, a rotatable bladed turbine, a Vrotatabley casing provided with reactionary vanes, said casing containing a supply of Working uid, means to rotate the impeller to set up a working iiuid circuit interlinking the impeller, turbine and reactionary vanes to transmit-and multiply torques by rotating the impeller in one direction and the casing in the opposite direction, a driven member, and means for directly connecting the impeller and casing to drive the latter and the turbine in the same direction, and drive the driven member at an overdrive ratio.

20. A uid transmission comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft, a rotatable uid transmission connecting said shafts including an impeller: connected to the driving shaft, a turbine, anda casing for working fluid, means including an over-running clutch for transmitting torque from the turbine to the driven shaft, said clutch automatically disconnecting the turbine from the driven shaft when the turbine is free of fluid pressure from the impeller, and means for at. willi mechanically connecting the driving and driven shafts.

21. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a throttle controlling element movable in one'direction to open the throttle and movable inanother direction to close the throttle, means to mount said element for movement in one direction in a first range to move the throttle to full open position and for movement in a second range in said one direction beyond the full open position, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said driving and driven shafts including a casing containing fluid, an impeller connected to said driving shaft for circulating the uid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating fluid and connected to the driven shaft, and means operable. by said throttle controlling element when moved in said second range beyond the full open throttle position to partially restrict the circulation of fluid in said casing.

22. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a throttle controlling element movable in athrottle operating range to open and close the throttle and movable also beyond the full open throttlev position in a controlling range, a driving shaft, a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said driving and driven shafts including a casing containing iiuid, an impeller connected to said driving shaft for circulating the fluid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating Iiuidl and connected to the driven shaft, means for varying the torque transmitting characteristics of said power transmission unit, and means to, control said varying means by said element only when the latter is moved in said controlling range..

23. A controlling mechanism as set forth in claim; 22, wherein said varying means includes a valve movable by said element upon movement of the latter in said controlling range, to restrict the circulation of fluid in said casing.

24. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the typeY having a throttle controlled 21 engine, ar throttle controlling element movable in one direction to open the throttle and movable in another direction to close the throttle, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a hydraulic driving connection therebetween, said unit including a casing containing fluid, an impeller connected to said driving shaft for circulating the iiuid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating uid and connected to the driven shaft, means for directly connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a direct drive therebetween, and means operable by movement of said throttle controlling element beyond the throttle open position to disconnect the direct drive between the driving and driven shafts and to establish the hydraulic driving connection between said shafts.

25. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a throttle controlling element movable in one direction to open the throttle and movable in another direction to close the throttle, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said drivingr and driven shafts to establish a hydraulic driving connection therebetween, said unit including a casing 'containing fluid, an impeller connected to said drivingshaft for circulating the fluid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating fluid and connected to the vdriven shaft, means for directly connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a direct drive therebetween, means operable by movement of said throttle controlling element beyond the throttle open position to disconnect the direct drive between the driving and driven shafts and to establish the hydraulic driving connection between said shafts, and means including a power device for re-establishing the direct drive and disestablishing the hydraulic driving connection between said shafts.

26. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a throttle controlling element movable in one direction to open the throttle and movable in another direction to close the throttle, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a hydraulic driving connection therebetween, said unit including a casing containing fluid, an impeller connected to said driving shaft for circulating the fluid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating fluid and connected to the .driven shaft, means including a clutch for connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a direct drive therebetween, and means operable by movement of said throttle controlling element beyond the throttle open position to disconnect said clutch to interrupt the direct drive between the driving and driven shafts and to establish the hydraulic driving connection between said shafts.

27. A controlling mechanism for a motor vehicle of the type having a throttle controlled engine, a throttle controlling element movable in one direction to open the throttle and movable in another direction to close the throttle, a driving shaft, and a driven shaft, a hydraulic power transmission unit for operatively connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a hydraulic driving connection therebetween, said unit including a casing containing uid, an im- 22 peller connected to said driving shaft for circud lating the fluid, and a turbine member positioned in the path of the circulating fluid and connected to the driven shaft, means including a clutch for connecting said driving and driven shafts to establish a direct drive therebetween, means operable by movement of said throttle controlling element beyond the throttle open position to disconnect said clutch to interrupt the direct drive between the driving and driven shafts and to establish the hydraulic driving connectionv between said shafts, and means including a power device for reconnecting said clutch to re-establish the direct drive and for disestablishing the hydraulic driving connection between said shafts. 28. A nuid power transmission comprising driving and driven shafts, a hydraulic torque transmitting device comprising a casing having a working fluid therein, twin impeller members connected with the driving shaft to circulate the fluid in a pair of separate closed paths, twin primary turbine members having parts in both .of said paths for rotation by the uid therein, twin lsecondary turbine members having parts in both of said paths for rotation by the fluid therein, a driven element and means for connecting all of said turbine members to combine the torques delivered thereby and to deliver the combined torques to said driven element.

29. A fluid power transmission as set forth in claim 28 wherein the twin primary turbine members rotate in one direction and the twin secondary turbine members rotate in the opposite direction. y

30. A fluid power transmission as set forth in claim 28 wherein the fluid circulating in said paths through the twin impeller members, the twin primary turbine members and the twin secondary turbine members is discharged directly into each succeeding member with the fluid moving in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said succeeding member, and the fluid is finally discharged from the twin secondary turbine members, directly into the twin impeller members with the fluid moving in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the twin impeller members.

' 31. A fiuid power transmission as set forth in claim 28 wherein the fluid in said paths is discharged axially from the twin impeller members directly into the parts of the twin primary turbine members and flows axially therethrough and is discharged therefrom moving in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of said twin primary turbine members, the fluid being discharged directly into the parts of the secondary turbine members to rotate them in a direction opposite to that of the primary turbine members, the fluid moving radially inward through the secondary turbine members and being discharged therefrom directly into the twin impeller members and with the fluid moving in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the twin impeller members.

32. A fluid power transmission as set forth in claim 28 which comprises in addition, means operable at will to connect the driven element and driven shaft to establish a forward or reverse fluid drive, and other means operable at will to mechanically connect the driving and driven shafts and thus shunt the fluid drive.

33. A iiuid power transmission as set forth in claim 28 which comprises in addition, means operable at will to mechanically connect the 23 driving and driven shafts` and. drive the driven member at an overdriveratio.

34.. Av fiuid power transmiss'ionas set forth. in claim28 wherein .one of said twin turbine members rotates.. relativeto the-casing, and the other of said twin turbine members. is fixed to said casing.

35. A/fluid power Vtransmission as set forth in claim 28 wherein one of said twin turbine members is releasablefrom said driven element.

36.v A fluid power transmission comprising driving and driven. shafts, a Vhydraulic torque transmitting device comprising la 'casing having a Working. 'uid'lthereim an impeller member :connected with. the driving shaft to circulate .the iluidfin aclosed path, a primary turbine member anda secondary turbine member :in thepath. of the/circulating fluid and rotated thereby, 'said turbine members rotating in opposite directions, a driven element, and means for connecting,` said turbine members to combine the torques .delivered thereby and to deliver the combined torques tosaid driven element.

37. A uid power transmission as set forth in claim 36 wherein one of said turbine members rotatesrelative to the casing, and the other turbine vrnemberLis-iixed to the casing.

38. A fluid power transmission asset orthin claim 36 wherein one of saidturbine'members is releasable from. said driven `element for free rotation.

39. A fluidpower transmissionY as set forth in claim 36 wherein the fiuid in said path is discharged axially from the impeller member di'- rectly into the primary turbine member and flows axially therethrough and is discharged therefrom moving ina direction opposite tothe direction of rotation of said primary turbine member, the uid being discharged directly into the secondary turbine member to rotate the latter in a direction opposite to that of the primary turbine member, the fluid moving radially inward through the secondary turbine member and being discharged therefrom directly into the impeller member and with the fluidmoving in the same direction as the direction of rotation of the impeller member.

40. -A fluid power transmission as setforth in claim v36 wherein the fluid circulating in said path through the impeller, primaryturbine and secondary turbine members is discharged. directly into each succeeding member with the fluid movingin the same direction of rotation of said succeeding member, and the uid is finally discharged'from' the secondary turbine memberA directly into the impeller member with the fluid moving in the'same direction as the direction of rotation of the impeller member.

4l. A ud power transmission as setforth in claiml 36 which comprises in addition, means operable at willto connect the driven element and driven shaft to establisha forward or reverse fluid` drive, and other means operable atwill to mechanically connect the driving Aand driven shafts and thus shunt the fluid drive.

42. yA iiuid power transmission as `set-forth in claim 36 which-comprises in'addition, -means operable at will to mechanically connect the driving anddriven. shafts and drive the .driven member at anoverdrive ratio.

43. A lfluid 4power transmission comprising drivingand vdriven shafts, a-hydraulic torque transmitting device comprising a. casing having a working fluid therein, an impellermember connected with-the driving shaft to circulatethe 24 iiuid in a closed path, a'turbine member `oorlnected rwith the drivenshaft and positioned inthe path of the-circulating fluidto-be rotated-thereby toV transmitA torque from thedriving shaft tothe driven shaft, saidimpeller extending radially'substantially to the inner periphery of the-casing and including a part for Adirecting the il'uid axially into the-turbine member, the'latter member'having a vaned part for conducting the fluid axially therethrough and a normally stationary reactionary member adjacent the impeller and turbine membersextending from'the inner peripheryv ofthe casing to its hub portion, said' reactionary'member having vanes provided with-portions extending axially inward an'd provided with other portions positionedat a substantial angle from. the` axiallyv extending portions, saidother positions being curved` to direct thefluid exhausting from the turbine member toiiiow in the same direction as the impeller, and meansfor connecting the casing directly with the driving shaft 'for rotation thereby to arrest circulation of iluidin said path.

44. A fluid power transmission for a motor vehicle provided` withbrakingfmeans tostop the vehicle from movement, comprising 'driving and driven shafts, a hydraulic torque transmitting device comprising a casing having a working fluid" therein, an impellermember connected with they driving shaft to circulate-theiiuidf in a closed path, a turbine member Iconnected with -the driven shaft and positioned in the-path of the circulating fluid tobe `rotatedl thereby 44to -transmittorque from thedriving shaft to thev driven shaft, valve means operable torestrict the circulationf of iluidandfto arrest the transmission of torquebetween saidshafts-and a manually opperable controlling element connected to said valve means and to said braking means and operable tov operate said valve means to arrest the transmission oftorque` between said' shafts and to apply said braking means.

45. A fluid power ltransmission mechanism comprising a stationary casing, a rotatable lcasing V mounted in the stationary casing, impeller and turbine members in the. rotatable casingycooperatingwith a workingfluid thereinfor setting up afluid workingcircuit in a closed path.. for the transmission of torque, said rotatable casingv being provided with ventilating vanes on .the exterior thereof, a cover plate cooperating with said vanesto form a ventilatingpassage around the exterior ofthe rotatable casing, Asaid cover platehavingia vhub providing an` air inletopening and also having an exhaust opening .at its. periphery, and means for rotating said rotatable casing to cause cooling air to be circulated through. the inlet opening, aroundv the. exteriorfof the rotatable. casing. through theventilating. .passage andv` exhausted'at said. exhaust opening -to provide a continuous circulationof coolingair, said stationary casing yhaving lan inletv for drawing in fresh cool air to be circulated around= said rotatable casing andan air outlet'forwithdrawing heated air from within the stationary casing.

46. A uid power transmission'mechan-ism as setforth in claim-45 whichincludes in addition, a plurality of Ventilating passages positioned withinA the rotatablecasing, and means for connecting said last named Ventilating passages with the Ventilating passage formed by said'vanes and cover plate.

47. A-uid power transmission mechanismfor an automotive .vehicle l comprising -f a stationary casing providedwith` an-air inlet andan air out- 25 let, said stationary casing having a rotatable casing mounted therein, impeller and turbine members in the rotatable casing cooperating with a Working iiuid therein for setting up a fluid Working circuit in a closed path for the transdraw cooling air through the inlet to cool the rotatable casing and be exhausted through the outlet, and means for rotating said rotatable casing to cause cooling air to be circulated through the inlet opening around the exterior of the rotatable casing through the Ventilating passage and exhausted at said exhaust opening.

48. A uid power transmission mechanism as set forth in claim 47 which includes in addition, a plurality of cooling fins on the periphery of said rotatable casing.

49. A iiuid power transmission mechanism as set forth in claim 47 wherein the cover plate is xed to the rotatable casing for rotation therewith.

EDWARD J. THURBER.

26 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 111e of this patent:

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